African violet plant named Barbara

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Barbara characterized by its single, round-looking, dark blue slightly frilled flowers; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to round, slightly serrated leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous grown habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Barbara.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation G 17/17 and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated d 150/4.The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 3/78.

Barbara was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen,West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings,as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Barbara has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. undergreenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Barbara, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Single, violet-shaped but round-looking dark blue flowers withslightly frilled edges.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 8-9 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 7-9 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Round to oval, medium green, slightly serrated leaves.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 2 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramt., c.v. Barbara.

Parentage:

Male parent.--3/78.

Female parent.--d 150/4.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately22-26 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Round to oval. Diameter: 60-80 mm. Texture:Velvety. Aspect: slightly serrated, shiny, hairy. Veins: Upperside: wellvisible; underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color(upperside): Yellow-Green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Yellow-GreenGroup 148 D. Petiole: Strong upright, light green, occasionally withpurplish touch, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: ball-shaped, 7-9 mm just before opening, purple. Sepals:five (5). Color: Purplish green. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect:Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color:Purplish brown. Individual flowers: Size: 40-45 mm. Shape: Singleviolet-shaped with round petals that have slightly frilled edges. Color(upperside): Violet-Blue Group 93 between A and B. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the dark blue tends tointensify. Color (underside): Violet-Blue Group 89 C. Borne: Each flowerstem carries 7-9 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncle that arefree standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet.Flowering habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: 2. Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells,seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish green withdark purple on edge, 4-5 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow group 7 A.Styles: 7-8 mm long, purplish blue, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Barbara is a very attractive, vigorous grower withmedium green, round to oval leaves that are slightly serrated. A tightbouquet of flowers free standing above the leaves develops afterapproximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 8-9 strong flower stems carries7-9 and more single, dark blue slightly frilled flowers contrastingnicely with the bright yellow anthers. The flowers are violet-shaped,but round-looking. Occasionally, 1-2 additional small petals maydevelop. The flowers are long-lasting and non-dropping.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named Barbara,as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by itssingle, round-looking, dark blue, slightly frilled flowers; strong,upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form acompact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to round, slightlyserrated leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-droppingflowers.